Sheffield says no to Labour's Post Office closures

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 19th Sep 2008

Sheffield said a defiant NO! to Post Office closures today as they delivered an 18,526 name petition to Downing Street. For the past six weeks the people of Sheffield have fought a tireless campaign to save 16 of the city's post offices that face the axe. In total, the views of over 18 thousand people were delivered to the Government by the party from Sheffield which was led by the Liberal Democrat Leader of Sheffield City Council Cllr Paul Scriven.

Councillor Paul Scriven said: "I have been overwhelmed by the way in which people from across the city have rallied round to highlight this issue. 16 post offices face closures, 16 communities without vital facilities, Sheffield has spoken and the message is loud and clear - Save our Post Offices!

"I would like to thank groups from across the city who have handed in petitions on this issue and I am very proud of the role communities have played. I presented these petitions on behalf of the whole city, together with a group of Sheffield people. We have shown Number 10 that Sheffield is united in its fight against post office closures."

Councillor Scriven was accompanied to Downing Street by a delegation of local people who stand to lose out if their post offices close. Tony Cherry of the Federation of Small Businesses represented the business community of Sheffield. Jenny Hobson from Norfolk Park Tenants' and Residents' Association, represented residents who could lose the only shop on their estate if Park Grange Post Office shuts down. Les and Jenny Brown look after the elderly residents of Firth's Homes sheltered housing scheme, whose nearest branch in Oakbrook Road is under threat.

The next stage is that all the feedback will be reviewed. Following this review, a final decision will be made by Post Office Ltd and communicated to customers via displays in affected branches. The changes will be implemented only after a minimum of four weeks' notice has been provided to customers.